Vietnam Airlines, Vietnam’s national airline, was founded in January 1956 when the Civil Aviation Authority was established by the Vietnamese government. At that time, the fleet was very small, consisting of five propeller-driven aircraft of the IL-14, AN-2, and Aero 45 types. The first domestic flight took place in September 1956.
The period between 1976 and 1980 marked a milestone for the expansion and effective operation of numerous international routes to Asian countries such as Laos, Cambodia, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. At the end of this period, Vietnam’s civil aviation authority became a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
In April 1993, Vietnam’s flag carrier (Vietnam Airlines) officially became a state-owned airline. On May 27, 1995, the Vietnam Airlines Corporation was established through the merger of 20 airlines, with Vietnam Airlines as the core company.
As a dynamic, modern, international airline embodying Vietnam’s cultural identity, Vietnam Airlines has been a leader in the Vietnamese aviation market—one of the world’s fastest-growing domestic markets—for more than 20 years, achieving double-digit growth rates. As a widely recognized modern airline with a unique culture, Vietnam Airlines strives to become a leading international 5-star airline in Asia.
| Boeing 787 | Airbus A350 | Airbus A320 NEO | Airbus A321 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. Range | 15.750 km | 14.350 km | 6.300 km | 5.600 km |
| Speed | 954 km/h | 901 km/h | 1.005 km/h | 950 km/h |
| Seats | 274 oder 311 | 305 oder 323 | 186 | 184 |
| Length | 63,73 m | 66,89 m | 37,57 m | 44,51 m |
| Wingspan | 60,93 m | 64,75 m | 35,8 m | 34,1 m |
| Height | 18,76 m | 17,05 m | 11,76 m | 11,76 m |
| Type | wide-body | wide-body | narrow-body | narrow-body |
1993
Establishment of Vietnam’s flag carrier and the launch of scheduled flights to Europe (France)
1995
Establishment of the Vietnam Airlines Corporation, comprising Vietnam Airlines and 20 airlines
2002
Introduction of the new logo, the Golden Lotus, which symbolizes improvements in service quality, the expansion of the route network, and the modernization of the fleet
2003
Acquisition and operation of the first Boeing 777, a modern aircraft, and launch of a program to renew the aircraft fleet
2006
Admission as an official member of IATA
2010
Official admission as the 10th member of the SkyTeam Alliance
2014
Initial public offering (IPO) on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange
2015
As of April 1, 2015, the company is officially operating as a joint-stock company
2015
Vietnam Airlines is the first airline in Asia and the second worldwide to receive and successfully operate the next-generation Airbus A350-900; At the same time, the company launched its new brand identity
2016
Official certification as a 4-star international airline according to Skytrax standards
2016
Selection of ANA Holdings Inc. (Japan) as a strategic investor
2017
Vietnam Airlines’ securities are officially listed on the UPCoM stock exchange under the ticker symbol HVN; its market capitalization ranks at the top of the market
2017
2017
Vietnam Airlines welcomed its 200-millionth passenger after 20 years of operation and had 1.5 million Golden Lotus members
2018
Awarded the Skytrax 4-Star International Airline certification for the third consecutive year (2016, 2017, 2018)
2018
VNA took delivery of its first A321 NEO; management was transferred from the Ministry of Transport to the State Capital Management Committee
2019
VNA listed its shares and began trading on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HOSE)
2019
VNA took delivery of its first 787-10 Dreamliner—the world’s largest wide-body aircraft
2020
Awarded the highest rating, 5 stars, in Skytrax’s COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating
2021
VNA launches direct flights between Vietnam and the U.S.
2022
The 8th National Award Council of Foreign Relations Communication awards second prize for the flight safety instructional film “The Echo of Harmony”
2022
VNA launched the Million-Miler Program with exclusive service enhancements to honor premium members
2023
Awarding of the “5-Star International Airline” award by The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX)
2024
Ranked among the world's top 20 airlines for 2023 by Airline Ratings
2025
30th Anniversary of the company's founding and Award from the Prime Minister; welcoming the 350-millionth passenger
Whether to Hanoi, Saigon or beyond: as Vietnam Airlines Cargo’s exclusive GSSA in Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark, and as its nominated CSA for Belgium, Norway and Sweden, we’ll get your freight safely to its destination – regionally, internationally and intercontinentally.
Benefit from daily connections and one of the densest route networks in Indochina.
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